Author: Darnell Thompkins

The U.S. bishops will meet in Baltimore to pick a new president and vice president, and that vote will shape how the conference talks, what it prioritizes, and how it deals with public issues facing the Church. The meeting in Baltimore has the feel of a crossroads, with bishops casting votes that will steer the Conference’s tone for the next three years. This election matters beyond titles because the president sets agendas, steers public statements, and decides which issues get airtime. Bishops from across the country will weigh experience, pastoral temperament, and where each candidate stands on hot-button topics. At…

The Camp Mystic tragedy in Texas left 25 girls and two teenage counselors dead after catastrophic flooding on July 4, and operators are accused of failing to take necessary steps to protect the campers. The scene at Camp Mystic turned deadly when flash flooding struck on July 4, taking the lives of 25 girls and two teenage counselors. Families, first responders, and local leaders have been left grappling with the scale of loss and the speed at which a planned outing became a disaster. Emergency crews described conditions as chaotic, with rescue and recovery operations stretched by rising water and…

President Trump publicly pushed back against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene after she criticized him and the party for focusing heavily on foreign affairs, saying “she lost her way” and highlighting a larger disagreement about priorities within the Republican ranks. President Trump did not shy away from calling out a fellow Republican over internal criticism, and he used plain language to draw a line. His comment — “she lost her way” — underscored a disagreement about tactics and tone rather than a policy detail. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been outspoken about what she sees as a misplaced emphasis on international…

Some overseas outlets have admitted a role in framing Donald Trump as the central villain of Jan. 6, yet in the United States many mainstream newsrooms walked away from the story rewarded, not punished. Across the pond, a few outlets have at least acknowledged their part in shaping the narrative around January 6 and Mr. Trump, suggesting a degree of self-awareness abroad that is rare here. That recognition is notable because it admits the media can steer public opinion, for better or worse. It also contrasts sharply with what followed in American newsrooms. Back home, legacy media institutions repeatedly pushed…

The Trump administration says the shutdown could be winding down, but it will keep fighting in court over whether full SNAP benefits should be paid while funding disputes linger. The government shutdown may be on a path to resolution, but the Trump administration said Monday it will continue its legal battle not to pay full food stamp benefits in the meantime. That line captures the current posture: a partial thaw in politics while a legal fight stays hot. The administration frames the suit as a matter of law and stewardship of taxpayer dollars, not a political stunt. Critics see it…

President Trump issued pardons for Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows and others tied to efforts around the 2020 election, a move that has reshaped the legal and political landscape surrounding those cases. President Trump granted pardons to Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows and other associates who were accused of supporting Republicans’ attempts to overturn the 2020 election, and the decision landed fast and hard across the country. Supporters see the action as a rightful defense of loyal aides and a check against what they call politically motivated prosecutions. Critics immediately framed it as shielding wrongdoing, which guarantees fresh fights in courts and…

The Capitol is close to a temporary truce as lawmakers move to reopen the government, with negotiators trading votes and promises while taxpayers watch the tab grow. Washington spent the last week in a familiar scramble: funding deadlines, angry headlines, and last-minute bargaining. The practical reality is simple — a shutdown hurts people and shows elected leaders failing to prioritize results. Voters expect better than a theater of blame when crucial services and paychecks hang in the balance. Political maneuvering is underway to push a short-term spending package across the finish line. “The government shutdown may be on the verge…

A South Korean solar manufacturer says about 1,000 of its 3,000 Georgia employees will face temporary reduced pay and hours after U.S. customs began detaining imported parts needed to assemble solar panels. The company in Georgia is cutting hours and trimming pay for roughly a third of its workforce while it waits for key components to clear customs. The move is described as temporary, but it already affects employees who count on steady shifts and predictable income. Management frames the change as a stopgap while shipments are held up at the border. Customs officials have detained imported components that the…

Air travel faces real strain if the federal shutdown drags into the Thanksgiving travel period, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning it could “slow to a trickle.” Airlines, airports, and travelers are already bracing for pain if federal funding isn’t restored before the peak holiday surge. The transportation system depends on a chain of federal services that, when interrupted, ripple through schedules, staffing and passenger confidence. That makes the prospect of a prolonged shutdown more than just political theater; it becomes a logistics problem that hits ordinary people trying to get home. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy put the potential impact…

Clear, practical tactics for handling aggressive or sloppy reporters while keeping control of your message and your composure. Facing aggressive or sloppy reporters can be draining, but staying steady is straightforward when you stick to a handful of solid habits. Start by defining what you will and will not discuss, and keep your responses short and on point. When you control the shape of the exchange, the conversation stops being reactive and starts being strategic. Be intentional about who speaks for you and what they say, because mixed voices create confusion fast. Use a single, prepared spokesperson or a concise…